No one told the caterpillar that eating all that food would be bad for him. Furthermore, when discussing self-control it is important to emphasize that freedom of choice does not mean that one can do whatever he or she wishes. It helps us tell the difference between good and bad decisions and habits. The virtue of self-control helps with preventing this scenario from ever happening. Similarly, in life, we sometimes over consume something that makes us feel bad afterwards. In the story, the caterpillar eats a lot of unhealthy food that makes him feel bad. These questions aim at juxtaposing the pleasure gained from consuming something like sweets versus the benefits gained from refraining to succumb to these pleasures. It examines the inherent value and importance self-control can have on our lives. The first set of questions prompts children to dive into the virtue of self-control. This change in diet allowed the caterpillar to build a cocoon and grow into a butterfly. It takes eating a “nice leaf” to make him feel better. The caterpillar eats more and more with each passing day, until it does not feel good. This short story by Eric Carle is filled with moral questions on the topics of self-control, well-being and happiness, and growth and change. Read loud video by Brightly Storytime Guidelines for Philosophical Discussion The now big, fat and not-hungry caterpillar builds a cocoon around himself and finally emerges as a beautiful butterfly. On the seventh day, the caterpillar eats a “nice leaf” and feels much better. After six days of eating fruits, sweets, and “junk” food, he gets a stomach ache. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a story about a small caterpillar who emerges from an egg and begins eating everything in sight. After that experience, he eats a leaf and it helps him to become a beautiful butterfly. Further Resources » Summary A small caterpillar is born hungry and eats everything in sight until it gets a stomach ache.

The hungry caterpillar book